Phone solicitations

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bazodee · #1 Post by **bazodee** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:07 pm

We're probably all used to answering a phone call and then listening for an uncomfortably long pause before some harried call center employee comes on the line and starts the pitch to contribute to some charity. These are pretty annoying and I don't have much patience; my threshold is probably about two seconds before I hang up.

They are getting more audacious (or polite, dependent on your view). Tonight I got a call and immediately heard a recording saying "This is a call from a non-profit organization you currently support. We're terribly sorry but no one is available to speak with you right now. We'll call back at a more convenient time."

We all understand what's happening here.... dozens of numbers are called simultaneously in the hope that someone will answer. But is this the proper response?... or would you rather hear that uncomfortable silence? I guess they got wise to so many people hanging up so quickly.

The subject of this post is far more important than anything that was discussed at last night's so-called debate.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #2 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:09 pm

When they talk to you, ask them if they can hold on for a second and let them wait for five minutes.

Beebs52 · #3 Post by **Beebs52** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:15 pm

What is getting on my nerves is that those orgs who we have, indeed, supported in the past with mailings, etc., but simply cannot do this year, have the audacity--you were exactly right on that word--after I tell them, "I'm so sorry, but not this year" to badger me back with some half-ass remark like "Did you know suchandsuch helps babies live, etc. etc. etc."

You nasty little twerp. Why yes, yes I did know that. Now get off my phone before I tell you how calling people like you do gives you brain cancer.

Pisses me off.

Tocqueville3 · #4 Post by **Tocqueville3** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:21 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:When they talk to you, ask them if they can hold on for a second and let them wait for five minutes.

Sometimes I'll give Samantha the phone and let her make farting nioses into it after I've told the dude on the other end to hang on.

I would really like to do a Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally and fake an orgasm after telling them to hang on. I just don't have the guts to do that. If someone bet me a Benjamin I could prolly muster the courage to do it.

MarleysGh0st · #5 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:48 pm

bazodee wrote: They are getting more audacious (or polite, dependent on your view). Tonight I got a call and immediately heard a recording saying "This is a call from a non-profit organization you currently support. We're terribly sorry but no one is available to speak with you right now. We'll call back at a more convenient time."

I will not respond to telephone solicitations. Period. This message not only acknowledges that they've wasted my time but also identifies (well, anonymously semi-identifies) themselves as the culprits. Humbug!

Bob Juch · #6 Post by **Bob Juch** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:29 pm

Since I've moved I've been getting all sorts of unsolicited calls even though I immediately put my new number on the "do not call" list.

I can block any number I choose and have been doing that for all of them.

When I get a supposed charity, I ask them to send me their information in the mail. At that point they either hang up or say they'll see what they can do. Of course I never see anything.

gsabc · #7 Post by **gsabc** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:34 pm

I interrupt at the first possible opportunity, tell them I do not donate through phone solicitations, and immediately hang up before they can get rolling again. It has gotten so bad that we screen all dinnertime calls, and usually well into the evening.

I repeat my aphorism:

Charities are like stray cats. Give something to one, then not only do they keep coming back for more, they bring their friends to get their share, too.

Sir_Galahad · #8 Post by **Sir_Galahad** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:58 am

I check the caller ID before I answer the phone. If it's a number I do not recognize I don't answer it. If it's a call from someone I know at a number I don't recognize (which is very rare) they will usually leave a message and I call them right back or pick up the phone while they are leaving their message.

Often, if I do happen to actually answer the phone and it is a solicitor, I just put the phone down and walk away. If they are going to waste my time, I am going to waste theirs.

Bixby17 · #9 Post by **Bixby17** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:47 pm

gsabc wrote:I interrupt at the first possible opportunity, tell them I do not donate through phone solicitations, and immediately hang up before they can get rolling again. It has gotten so bad that we screen all dinnertime calls, and usually well into the evening.

I repeat my aphorism:

Charities are like stray cats. Give something to one, then not only do they keep coming back for more, they bring their friends to get their share, too.

It is absolutely sad. I adore giving money to charities. I hate hate hate getting phone and junk mail solicitations once I am on their sucker list.

The political calls are terrible too. Because I've given to both Democrats and Republicans, this means I get awful calls from both.

The computerized calls from politicians are the worst, because they will leave long messages on your answering machine, taking up all the space.

I truly wish there was a charity/political Do Not Call list but they would never let that happen.

#10 Post by **littlebeast13** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:40 am

Tocqueville3 wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:When they talk to you, ask them if they can hold on for a second and let them wait for five minutes.
Sometimes I'll give Samantha the phone and let her make farting nioses into it after I've told the dude on the other end to hang on.

Reminds me of the good old days when me and my sisters would treat the idiots who called for my parents to all kinds of good stuff....

lb13

minimetoo26 · #11 Post by **minimetoo26** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:04 am

In a way, it's good they at least tell you who is hanging up on you, so when that number comes up again on the caller ID, you can have your turndown and a request for no further callbacks ready.

I'll have the same toll-free number come up again and again over the course of the week before I finally answer, then give the operator (polite) holy hell for calling and hanging up numerous times, then telling them I don't do business over the phone, and to never call again.

It helps to use the "you guys keep calling and waking up my child" if they have even the slightest conscience. Even if it isn't quite true.

SportsFan68 · #12 Post by **SportsFan68** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:07 am

Bob Juch wrote:When I get a supposed charity, I ask them to send me their information in the mail. At that point they either hang up or say they'll see what they can do. Of course I never see anything.

This works. I tell them politely and firmly that I never donate or pledge over the phone, and to please send the info so I have a chance to look it over and google them up. I guess they don't want anybody googling them up.

While we're at it, would any of y'all like to donate to my Relay for Life team this year? ... What's that, no on-line solicitations, unless I'm from Nigeria? OK.

WWTBAM Bored

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